It’s Labor Day … and our collective mindset is that it is the end of Summer, even if hot and sticky days persist long into October.
A week of September has already passed – sigh. Leaves have begun subtly turning color and fluttering to the ground. The grocery store shelves are brimming with pumpkin-flavored everything, harvest décor and lots of jewel-tone mums. It feels like Summer is on the wane and Fall is just around the corner.
Back in the day, Labor Day used to mean Summer’s carefree times of flip flops and firefly collections were over and it was back to the grind for students the following day. It also meant breaking out that year’s snazzy school supplies and finally getting to wear your brand-new duds (even if you’d likely end up with blisters from your Mary Janes). Well, school is looking a whole lot different this year with suggestions that students refrain from donning their PJs for online learning!
I hope you’ll indulge yourself, maybe kick back a bit on this Labor Day and enjoy some of Summer’s fun fare like corn on the cob, or those tasty home-grown tomatoes, or something sumptous on the grill. Don’t forget the S’Mores, because who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat sometimes?
Peanut Bliss.
The squirrels have a sweet tooth just like most of us do. While I don’t indulge them often with sweet treats, they do love Nutter Butters. I buy the “mini” version of these sandwich cookies which are tasty, peanut-flavored wafers with a generous smear of peanut butter in between. I love ‘em too.
So, last Sunday, the sun was shining and it was FINALLY cooler with no humidity, so I filled a large Ziploc bag with peanuts, toted along a cup of Nutter Butter Bites …
… and spent the next three hours walking along the perimeter path, doling out treats and taking pictures of the cookie kids at my favorite stomping grounds, Council Point Park.
I believe I see quite a few smiles of peanut pal appreciation in the photos below. I am sure you will agree.
Happy Labor Day!
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
How many Nutter butters don’t make it to the squirrels _?. they look fabulous
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Um – sometimes one for me, one for the kids … 🙂 They are fabulous Michael, crispy outside wafer, creamy peanut butter inside.
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I’m not a big peanut butter fan so they’d be safe with me!
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I do love peanut butter and could eat it out of the jar with a spoon. These are good cookies, not like homemade, but crunchy.
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You’ve inspired me to try one…..if I can find them! Those squirrels do look like they are smiling.
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Yes, see if you can find them Joni. They are good. If you like sandwich cookies especially. I usually just get the minis for the squirrels although I gave them the larger size for Easter and they finished them up without a problem. 🙂
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How fun is that seeing them all enjoying their cookies, if I put those out in the back yard the dogs would grab them all. Even if I tried to hide them, 🙂 My favorite summer treat is Ice Cream.
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They like the Nutter Butters and I’ve given them the larger size too (at Easter – remember I made the pink icened and nuts on top?) I think they smell the peanut butter but they don’t take them apart thankfully. My mom felt sorry for the squirrels one time and took those little party breads like you get at the holidays – we had some light rye or pumpernickel and she spread peanut butter on each slice, then put them together like a sandwich. I put the sandwiches in the snow on top of evergreens at the side of the house and looked out the window when I got in as the one squirrel was watching me and the squirrel licked the peanut butter off and threw the bread on the ground – next day I had to go pick it all up. I have not had ice cream in a while – when I was in high school, two good friends worked Summer vacation in ice cream parlors and every time we’d go for ice cream, we got the equivalent of a triple scoop … those Summers of indulging in all that ice cream. One was a dairy – they had/have wonderful fresh ice cream made in the back of the store. The other is frozen yogurt and ice cream and people line up for a block to get treats.
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Yes, I remember the pink icing cookies, my husband wanted me to make him some. 🙂
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I knew you would remember for that very reason Sandra – they smelled wonderful with the pink icing and the nuts (pistachios, shelled sunflower seeds and walnuts). I’m no cook, but I can make squirrel cookies – perhaps I ought to box and sell them? I worked with a woman years ago who used to bake dog cookies and then made fancy boxes, personalized the boxes and sold them. At Christmastime she bought lots of felt red stockings with the white top and people who ordered cookies got a decorated stocking with the pet’s name on it and a tag as well. She was very creative – the cookies were baked in a bone shape, came in chicken or beef flavor and in three sizes.
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I wish I could cook better, I would love to make the dog treats and all. I made a desert yesterday that started out ok, but now today after it sat in the fridge, I can’t even get it out of the pan. You need a chisel to remove it. Another one bites the dust, so to speak. 🙂
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I one time made slice-and-bake cookies, that all I had to do was put them on the cookie sheet – they were pre-scored so just peeled them apart. I burned them. 🙂 This co-worker had a brisk business. She took orders every year in November and delivered the stockings a week before Christmas. The bone shape made them perfect too. I just looked and the bone-shaped cutters are on Amazon in three sizes. She didn’t do “health food” bones, just chicken or beef – you could pick or get a mixture. This article has healthy dog treats – here are cookies that look like bones: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g23026561/homemade-dog-treats/?slide=3
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You have some really good shots of the squirrels. Thanks for mentioning S’mores. We have the fixings left from July 4th, and we should use them today while the grill is going.
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Thank you – they sure were sweet last Sunday. It was a beautiful day and coolish and I had waited to take the cookies with me so they’d be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed … they have been lethargic from the heat all Summer, or not always showing up. Also, sometimes with the squirrels, things were not the same after the park was locked down. Today our weatherman said it was the 4th hottest Summer on record in Michigan. I am sure it is that way in many other states as to breaking records. The S’mores sound wonderful. Fellow blogger Diane had a recipe for making S’Mores in the oven/skillet once you couldn’t use a campfire anymore: https://indianeskitchen.com/2020/09/01/skillet-smores-dip/
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Thank you for the link to oven S’mores. David and I heated our marshmallows over a candle. It wasn’t quite as good as using the grill or campfire, but we limited ourselves to two marshmallows.
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You’re welcome Anne – I like how the big marshmallows looked with that nice browning on the top. It is the thought that counts, that you had them as Summer comes to a close.
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That skillet of S’mores looked dangerous, tempting you to eat ten times what would have been good for you.
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I would want to say to myaself “well, it won’t taste the same and won’t be dippable once it gets cold, so better eat it now.” Also “why dirty another bowl to put it in – might as well just eat it now.”
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I totally agree with your thinking.
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I love the first and second to last… (I’m sleeping!)
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They were especially cute that day Ellie – cookies make anyone smile.
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Loving all the pictures of your cookie kids! What a diverse group of squirrels live in your area. The first picture is extra-special. He looks like he can’t believe his good luck!
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Thanks Barbara – yes, we have have black, gray and Fox squirrels, predominantly the Fox squirrels in our neighborhood and in this Park. They are very tame at the Park and beg mercilessly. They were not around most of the Summer after the one-month lockdown at the Park and then the heat. I have pictures from last Winter when they saw me coming with peanuts and maybe 12-15 came running at one time. I get a big kick out of the squirrels and they make fun pictures. Usually in the Fall I take them apples one day and also baby pumpkins another day and take pictures of that. They like both of those treats, but prefer peanuts. Here are some pics from last year with the pumpkins: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2019/10/26/pumpkins-for-munchkins/
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No doubt those squirrels are smiling!
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Either that or peanut butter is stuck to their roof of their mouth! Nah – they are definitely in good spirits. 🙂
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This reminds me I need to get more feed for the squirrels. For a while I was doing a live feed webcam of them coming and eating within a foot of the camera. I need to start that again. as silly as it sounds, some people spend time watching them. It can be relaxing. I just saw the same little tubs of those at Sam’s Warehouse the other day.
I love squirrels, and we have rescued many, and had one for a pet for years. They have outlawed the possession of them here now. I have never seen a black one in real life, but it is beautiful. all we have here, are short haired gray squirrels that all look alike.
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I would watch it to be honest Ron. I thought about setting up a trail cam last year as I fed two jays, two cardinals and five squirrels the past three Winters. They would arrive for peanuts just seconds after I put the peanuts or sunflower seeds out and I rigged up a feeder for them … I had to keep moving the peanuts I put out in a wire basket because there was a raccoon, then a cat and then a Cooper’s Hawk. I moved the set-up into the bushes so the squirrels had plenty of cover – the birds were fine. The Cooper’s Hawk (I believe) got my little guys as I’ve not seen them since April. My neighbor was off during the COVID-19 lockdown and told me the Cooper’s Hawk was watching them from a tree across the street – I wish he had told me sooner.
I love squirrels too – the gray ones are especially cute and the gray one (Grady) at the house was a real charmer. He’d beg on his haunches every time I walked out of the house, or returned from walks.
A fellow squirrel lover sent me this video a while ago – it is relaxing, even watching a small portion of it. Quite the setup and the hidden video camera. You the tech whiz and nature lover will like this:
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Oh, that was so cool, Linda. I like how he got shots of them from different angles. Beautiful setup with the snow. What some exotic looking squirrels with the long ear fur.
I think I will set mine back up for a while, soon.
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I knew you’d like it Ron and I also knew it might prompt you to get your camera set up again. 🙂 I follow some nature sites on Twitter and I always like seeing those squirrels with the long ear fur. They are petite like the gray and black squirrels. How clever to put that treat-laden sled out in the wilderness and just set it up and watch the action.
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My Squirrels seem to be on vacation. We had a stray cat staying on our porch, I think I have discouraged it though. So they should be back in a couple of days. Meanwhile, all I would have to show, would be outside views. 🙂
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Once Fall settles in, they’ll start hiding peanuts – they will come back to see your friendly face. 🙂
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Thanks, Linda. I really am missing the little fellas.
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They have that effect on us humans – big brown eyes, swishy tails – they know that works for treats. 🙂
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Another thing this Schaub and you have in common: peanut butter! My favorite Girl Scout cookie was the Savannah, which was also PB sandwiched between two cookies. Now I have to limit the fats, sweets, and carbs. But at least I can enjoy natural peanut butter on an apple. Almost like eating a caramel apple!
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I’ll bet we Schaubs have even more in common. 🙂 That was my favorite Girl Scout cookie too Nancy. Most people liked the Pitter Patter peanut butter or the Thin Mints.
I like a cookie with texture – I’m not fond of soft cookies. These are very tasty. I don’t buy the big ones, just the small ones for the squirrels and steal a few. I watch it too now and can’t eat cookies like I used to. I like the natural peanut butter as well and I put it on the Triscuits with sea salt – very little sodium and some crunch as well, so a real treat for me. I like peanut butter on apples too. I am waiting for the Honeycrisp apples to arrive then I’ll break out peanut butter with them too.
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Mary Janes and Penny Loafers! How funny you posted about Nutter Butters. The grandkids asked for these and we just bought them each one of those little containers for this Thursday when they come.
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Great minds think alike Diane – the grandkids and me have good taste as to what tastes good! I actually got two containers and um … ate one of them the week before, so the day I took them for the squirrels, no nibbles from me. 🙂 I get the cups because that way I can’t do too much damage.
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Portion control is good! So are Nutter Butters…lol
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Indeed!!! They hit the spot! I am trying to find my reply to your question about the Mackinac Bridge walk. I responded in the “Comments section” but don’t see it – hmm. Lost in cyberspace.
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Hi Diane – they have done that walk yearly since 1958 and the Governor always leads it. The Bridge Walk changed the rules in 2018 and I couldn’t remember what the deal was but it was dramatic. I just looked because I remember thinking that was not a great idea, not when you have people who even come from other states to do it. They used to have buses to take you back where you started … now, no more buses, you are on your own to get back You can take a ferry, but with 60,000 people walking, I’m sure you might be stuck there all day. So the options were that you have to find your own transportation back to where you started, or turn back and walk it … 10 miles is a lot. Granted, if you are an avid walker and used to it, maybe that’s okay, but the day I got lost I did 8 miles and was worn out (it was hot and I was lost in the boonies when I got off a trail). And if it’s a hot day?! They said people were doing just halfway and turning around and going back just for the flavor of the walk – it’s more fun to do the whole walk though. I’d still like to do it one day but would make arrangements beforehand – look at the view you get though (see link below). Do you know that the Big Mac Bridge is such a long and high bridge, that if you have to drive across, you can ask for an escort to drive you across. Happens all the time, and, if it is windy in the least, high profile vehicles are escorted by another vehicle driving next to it. That happened twice last week. I went across with my parents when I was 12 and my dad drove and I don’t remember the trip. What was scary to me was in Key West. We went to Florida to visit friends and a short 3-day cruise and afterward drove to Key West. There was a long bridge that went forever (7 miles) and no side rails but you’re not high up. http://www.mightymac.org/bridgewalk.htm
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Fascinating! I actually watched a show about that about a year ago where people afraid of heights had to have people take them over it. If I remember right they were also replacing those open grids they show in the link you gave me too.
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[Interesting – looks like you got this message Diane. WordPress is acting up again.] They have had escorts on standby for years. In looking at that link I sent you, I’m not sure I”d want to drive it but the walking would be fine as you’d be in a group. Those open areas would be a little scary. Years ago I worked on the college newspaper and “The Detroit News” opened a new, state-of-the-art plant where they did all their printing. It was around 1974 or 1975 so long before the digital age. They had new modern printing presses and our journalism advisor for the newspaper arranged for us to go there to watch them print the paper. You had to go up the stairs and look down, almost like med students look into the operating suite from a glassed-in area. We were high up and one of the girls said “no, I can’t do that – I’m afraid of heights.” The guy who was taking us on the tour through the plant said “oh, this isn’t bad at all – don’t be afraid.” Next thing we knew, down when Claudia as she crumpled when he knees gave way and she fainted dead away. Good thing there was a guard rail and grid!
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OH MY GOSH!!!!! My husband is afraid of heights too. There isn’t too much he will do high up either but he has gotten better in our years together.
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Yes, that was scary and she put it out there that she was afraid and the tour guide mocked her a little. We didn’t realize she was THAT scared … they had to get her upright and take her to an office til she felt better. Three co-workers and me went to lunch one time and we got stuck in the elevator … it suddenly stopped three floors down and we could not open the door, and we used the emergency button but no one responded – it was the lunch hour and we surmised the people in charge of the elevators (like the building engineers) were out to lunch with the pager turned off. Not good. Of the four of us, three remained calm – one of the woman got hysterical – she dropped down to the floor, sitting on her heels and rocking back and forth and was crying. That was a little unsettling. When the engineer arrived, he had an elevator repairman in tow – it was downtown Detroit, so I imagine they always had one nearby for all the big office buildings. He got the doors open, but we had to climb down a small ladder to get out of the elevator and there was a crowd gathered. Not an experience I’d like to do again – it was Winter and we had our heavy coats on, boots, woolen hats, scarves, etc. With no ventilation it was hot and stuffy in the elevator. Luckily there were not much people.
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How horrible! I would be OK if that happened but my fear would be if I had to use the restroom! 🤣😂🤣 That is a day I’m sure you will never forget.
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I know – it was before cellphones were commonplace, so when we called for help by pushing the emergency button, we mentioned our suite and said “call and let them know where we are please!” There was a new soup place opened up – a soup place with all home made breads and it was very cold and we decided to try it – it was not downtown – one of the girls was going to drive there. The woman who was hysterical the whole time – OMG. We went back to work, all shook up – never did get our lunch. 🙂
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Well that stinks!
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A few hours after we were back, we remembered … 🙂
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Yes when your stomachs growled!
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Exactly!
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I’ve never heard of Nutter Butters before Linda? Must be an American thing……or I do not get out enough to the junk food isle?
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They are in the cookie section of the grocery store Wayne. I gave up all sweets around 2010, but a few years ago decided I needed to have something sweet occasionally so I tried them as I love peanut butter. They are a little crunchy on the outside and have the peanut butter in between … I used to be an Oreo fan, now I find Oreos way too sweet.
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they ain’t up here?
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They are made by Nabisco – Canadians must eat healthier than Americans. 🙂
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Those squirrels are so lucky to have a friend like you who gives them treats! My guilty pleasure this summer has been ice cream. I am not supposed to eat sugar, but every once in a while, Bill and I will go in to the ice cream shop in town, where they make their own ice cream, and order a kids sized cone. Yum!
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I do like treating them every so often Laurie. They’re a little like humans – I’m sure they smelled the peanut butter and went for them right away. I put peanuts next to the cookies to give them a choice though. I guess there were enough peanuts for later, they knew they could go for the cookies. It’s a little early for apples, but that will be their next treat. I remember the pictures you showed us of that delicious-looking ice cream. My mom used to get heartburn for years until finally her doc prescribed the prescription-strength Prilosec which really helped out, but before that she rationalized that it was good to always have frozen yogurt in the freezer so it was “handy” for those heartburn events – she figured since it was “yogurt” so acceptable to indulge. 🙂
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Hi Linda
I have not had one of these in so long but do recall how good they are
Also used to love peanut Butter pretzels – mmmm
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I have not had a pretzel in a long time Yvette – both sound delicious. A fellow blogger does a weekly post about different restaurants she goes to where she lives (Georgia) and travels. Last week she featured a place that had a huge soft pretzel as an appetizer and it was impaled (for lack of a better word) on a prong of some sort with various dips around the base of the prong. In this age of COVID, I’d only want it for family members, which is what Mia and her family were at this table – very unique presentation.
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Wow – that sounds interesting – and reminds me pretzels come in many forms – from the Bavarian hard pretzels to the soft and speared one you mentioned your friend had!
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I thought it sounded interesting too Yvette. I am a texture eater – I find I get more enjoyment if something has a little crunch to it, but that pretzel looked good … here is Mia’s post and just scroll down a little and you can see it.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/103164571/posts/2891339406
I told her we used to go to a restaurant that served their onion rings on a type of spindle, largest rings on the bottom, and smaller as the stack reached the top. It was very creative and they had some dipping sauces that came with the onion rings. The good old days, when you ate what you felt like and gave it not much consideration and never gained an ounce. 🙂
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Oh wow – the mention of onion rings brings me back too!
And the ones on the spindle sound fun to pick from – going to check out the post you linked now
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Eating smart is good for you, not necessary fun though.
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😊👍🏼 – and that post was fun – loved the pretzel
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I know – I wanted to grab it off that holder and have it for my dinner!
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Yes! And dip it in that mustard
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Oh ya!
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